Bertelsmann looking to create 'MySpace' for older set

German media group plans to transform its Direct Group of book, CD and DVD clubs into an Internet networking scene for older people.

The story "Bertelsmann looking to create 'MySpace' for older set" published April 3, 2006 at 11:09 AM is no longer available on CNET News.

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[ralahinn1]

I Have a Myspace acount

>.> Not that i ever mean to use it, but I am an "older" person with a Myspace account...what would the new service really offer me?:S

[anarchyreigns]

Does it come with its own root kit?

Hear ye, here ye, get your BMG Space now....complete with free root kit!

[RevCOAL]

Danny Sullivan's comment is asinine

So those over 50 already have friends and so would have no need of a "MySpace" service geared just to their demographic group?

What an *******.

If anything, the 50+ demographic is MORE in need of such a service than the teen and 20-somethings. They've devoted their lives to family and career and very often have let their social networks slip by. Then the kids move out, they or their friends move elsewhere, get divorced, get laid-off, die.

Sullivan should take a field trip to his local senior housing facility just to see how lonely and isolated these people are. Many have to rely on public senior transportation that only runs for a few hours during the daytime. They aren't able to get out at night or on weekends because transportation isn't available. Many times where they live is isolated, so even if they are relatively "spry", there is nothing within walking distance, not even the public library.

The 50+ group is one of the largest growing markets right now for buying PCs -- they are discovering that it is a great way to keep in touch with family and distant friends; it is a given that they would welcome a site where people of their own age group could chat and share ideas.

A group in my area refurbishes computers and donates them to local nonprofit agencies; their primary focus is to donate computers to schools and such for young people, but I work for a local nonprofit agency in their elderly services department, and I plan to look into the possibility of having computers donated to the elderly so that they can have them in their homes so that they can more easily socialize and network and conduct research via the internet, and hence not be as isolated as they currently are.